Investigators determine cause of US Space & Rocket Center fire

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U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Investigators determine cause of US Space & Rocket Center fire

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Huntsville Fire & Rescue Captain Frank McKenzie said investigators have determined the cause of a minor fire that happened Wednesday night at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center main museum.

McKenzie said crews got the call around 8:30 Wednesday. When they responded, the saw light smoke inside the main museum building. They found a small fire near two sprinkler heads that had activated, ran a hose to it, and put it completely out. He said the fire was located behind a petition wall in the maintenance area in the southeast corner of the building, but burned a small hole through to the activity area.

Exhaust fans were set-up to remove smoke from the building and the museum was open for business the next day.

The heaviest fire damage was confined to the maintenance room, McKenzie said. Investigators determined the fire was caused accidentally when a heating appliance was left too close to combustible materials.

Everyone inside the building was evacuated safely and there were no injuries. The nearby Wing Ding welcome party in the Davidson Center was unaffected